Shwarma: A Love Story

Sometimes a person needs to meditate and think about things. Most of the time he just needs to eat something greasy.

Most of my musician friends in college were either into heavy drug use or meditation. They were looking for a way to recreate the high of a performance in other areas of life.

I chose the spiritual route; I dug the Eastern flavor.

The problem was that too many years of serious coffee addiction had made it impossible for me to sit still for more than five minutes. I couldn't meditate. I bounced off the walls. My eyes flickered. My nose twitched.

But I wasn't willing to accept my spiritual impotence. I blamed the world around me.

"I hate hippies," I told a friend of mine.

"Why? What'd they ever do to you?"

"They ruin my inner peace."

"How so?"

"It's that damn patchouli oil. Stinks the peace right out of me."

Deep down I knew that meditation wasn't for me. I pretended to be into it because my friends were into it.

I kept trying. Years went by. I came to a point in my life where I was beginning to experience an ethnic Jewish awakening. I bought a book on Jewish meditation in an attempt to justify my growing interest in Judaism with a need to still look cool in the eyes of the "art crowd." I tried gazing at letters in the Hebrew alphabet. I thought about various interpolations of the different names of God. I drove myself crazy.

I couldn't meditate because I couldn't find the space behind my head; I kept thinking about dandruff instead.

"I can't find the space behind my head!" I confided in a friend of mine.

"What are you talking about?"

"The book says 'focus on the space right behind your head.' I keep thinking about dandruff and male pattern baldness. This isn't spirituality. It's insanity."

I discussed my problems openly.

"Maybe God's a practical joker," I told a friend.

"Why?"

"The vehicles to transcendence are totally unnatural. Who in their right mind can sit around all day clearing their brain of static?"

"Maybe you're looking in the wrong place."

"Maybe. I'm always hungry."

Then a Middle Eastern friend turned me on to my first shwarma.

"Come, I give you an experience," he said.

"Great."

He took me to a greasy Israeli joint.

"It's kosher."

"Who cares."

The guy behind the counter brought out what looked like an overweight tortilla.

"Laffa," my friend informed me.

"What the heck is that?"

The guy behind the counter took the trouble to explain, "It like giant flat pita. You no stuff it. You roll it."

My friend slapped on a thick helping of crushed chickpea paste.

"Humus," he said.

"I know."

He loaded it up with chopped cucumber and tomato salad, French fries and a mysterious meat substance.

"Lamb," he said.

"Lamb?"

"Really turkey basted in lamb fat. Delicious."

He rolled it up and handed it to me.

I took a bite. Grease ran down my arm.

"This is unbelievable," I said.

"I knew you like it."

The feeling stayed with me for almost a week. It was in my head. It was on my breath. I knew I was on to something big.

I extolled the virtues of shwarma to everyone. It was all I talked about.

"What?! You haven't had shwarma? You haven't lived," I told people.

I ran into some of my meditating friends.
"How can you spend your day sitting around like a lotus? There is shwarma to be eaten."

"We're into connecting to a higher reality."

"So am I. It's called shwarma."

I'd found it. I'd thought that in order to experience spirituality I had to do something "spiritual." I was wrong. True transcendence isn't about slipping off into an artificial world. It's about finding spirituality in the here-and-now.

The first way is eating shwarma because it's shwarma. The second way is to use shwarma as a spiritual vehicle.

I began to teach people about higher eating.

"There are two ways to eat shwarma," I began. "Way number one is to inhale the thing. Open wide and swallow. It's similar to the way a dog eats."

"Really?"

"Way number two is to pause a moment and say: 'Isn't it great that I can live in a world where I can have an experience like shwarma,' and then inhale."

"I don't get it."

"The first way is eating shwarma because it's shwarma. The second way is to use shwarma as a spiritual vehicle. It is to realize that this meal is an opportunity to connect to God, to plug in and experience transcendence. Why meditate only an hour a day? You can always be on the lookout for spiritual experience."

I had discovered the secret of higher living; elevate the physical. All of life is a tool to connect to something bigger. Sometimes a person may need to take time-out to think about things, to meditate. Most of the time he just needs to eat something greasy.

This article is featured in Aish.com's book:Heaven on Earth. Buy it now!

About the Author

Tzvi Gluckin lectures extensively on a wide range of Jewish related topics. He is the author of four books including: Everything You Want Is Really Jewish, Discover This, and Knee Deep in the Funk: Understanding the Connection Between Spirituality and Music. He served in the Israeli Army, holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music, and is currently the director of Vechulai, an innovative Jewish think tank in Boston. For more information, visit his website at gluckin.com/.

Amazing! Better explained then all the great Chasidishe Rebbes have been trying for ages. Keep un this work

(31)
Miri,
October 21, 2013 11:46 PM

Potato chips

My Dad tried to get me to meditate as a kid by focusing on something - my 'something' was potato chips :) it just made me hungry and lose focus! Then he said to think of nothing so I thought of zero then fell asleep. When I was 42 I 'found' Shabbat observance - thanks for the article

(30)
suzi,
November 28, 2010 3:03 PM

How to take a bite of life, swallowing, or savoring

Rabbi, you rock. I am more meditative, you are too high energy for my lifestyle. I enjoy your views and presentations, just can't mimick them. Is it possible to have communication with you? You are so wonderful at what you do. G-D speed, be well, and p u l e e z continue. Thank you.

(29)
sharona,
October 29, 2007 3:50 PM

great article

good message with a twist of humor, I like that :)

that's so true that we can elevate the physical to the spiritual. Like when we say a blessing over food and thank G-d, we lift up our meal experience.

(28)
Tammy Fesspoint,
July 5, 2007 3:45 PM

Oy, my spleen!

ROFLMAO! hAHAHAHAHA!lol!

Do it again! Write us something like this again!

(27)
Anonymous,
July 5, 2007 5:40 AM

fantastic, tongue in cheek, made me laugh!

this is the first time i've ever read anything by this writer. he is really funny, and the really wierd part is, it makes sense!

(26)
K and R Friedman,
July 2, 2007 11:06 AM

Way to Go Rabbi Tzvi!

I have to show this article to my husband! (We know you from Aish Boston/Brandeis.)

(25)
don,
July 2, 2007 10:40 AM

oy gewald

eating grease to ease your weld schmerz is why we Jewslead all ethic grouos in heart attacks and strokes. Couldn't we change to absynth instead? or at least single malt scotch

(24)
Annie Lass,
July 2, 2007 3:02 AM

this is a wonderful story!I know of several stray Jews who found the Way back through eating chicken soup! even non Jews have discovered the spirituality of Jewish chicken soup!

(23)
Yocheved,
July 1, 2007 4:43 PM

Loved it!!

Hi! loved this story! it made me LOL! thanks 4 posting it!

(22)
Wayne,
July 1, 2007 1:47 PM

Eat responsibly

So what happens if you indulge in thisform of spirituality too often, and wind up with clogged arteries? Is your bypass operation a spiritual experience also?

(21)
Trent,
January 19, 2006 12:00 AM

shwarma, doc

Now *that* was funny. I think we see eye-to-eye on this --joined at some level beyond the mundane and the temporal. Shwarma is indeed a Purple Cloud, and it speaks: "Now go ye forth into the world and save men from a dreary life of eating frickin' fish all the live long day." It is written...

(20)
Robert Yates,
July 1, 2005 12:00 AM

shwarma with turkey mmmmmmmmmmmm

I had my first shwarma at a place called Sholom in Columbus, Ohio USA around 1972-73 i was 13 at the time and i will never forget the succulent flavor the tahini sauce mixed with hot the salad in the sandwich oh my god it was the finest food i'd ever eaten. Also hummus with grilled pitas wow. I live very near Atlanta, Georgia usa also Athens Georgia can some one PLEASE POINT ME TO A REAL SHWARMA i've tried everyway i could think of and still cant make a real one or just shwarma and salad not correct meat marrinade or good tahini got to have that sesame in the mix so any help for shwarma would be so kind and helpful its like a part of life missing it's been so long. thank you Robert Yates

(19)
ben cohen,
June 16, 2004 12:00 AM

great story give more like it thanks

great story
give more like it
thanks

(18)
Jeffrey Steele,
June 7, 2002 12:00 AM

This story is true!

I can say unequivicoly, even though I can't spell it, that there is great truth to what a Schwarma can do to you and for you. I too experienced my first Schwarma in Jerusalem and it brought tears to my eyes. I knew then and there I wasn't sentenced to eat falafels for my entire 6 month stay. A truly heavenly concoction with Divine inspiration. Note of warning however, limit yourself to maybe just once a week or for special occasions, the addictive properties to schwarmas is dangerous!

(17)
Yehudah Younessian,
June 6, 2002 12:00 AM

Shawarma Rules!!!

I must agree with you on your comments about Shawarma. I didn't have the fortune to have one until I first visited Israel 5 years ago. Living in San Francisco, there is NEVER something so good or authentic out here. Since my first one in Israel I have been hooked! When I lived there for study abroad, I had one every other day if not more. I always have them when I visit there, or anywhere else like NY or LA with good ones. I will be back in Israel in July, and make no mistake, I will have at least 1 if not more Shawarma's per day. Forget the fat or grease, and just indulge and give thanks to Hashem for making us smart enough to create such edible delights! By the way, don't forget to add schug (hot sauce)to your shawarma for the ultimate experience!

(16)
Anonymous,
May 28, 2002 12:00 AM

filling the g-d shaped hole.

for me, food is what i fill the god shaped hole when i do not have conscious contact with g-d.

thank g-d that the twelve steps allow me to grow spiritually and are totally compatible with judaism (some of my best friends in programme are frum).

i am currently trying to make the connection between judaism and my spirituality and love that so many concepts, such as bitachon, and teshuvah are not only an integral part of judaism, but also of my 12 step programme.

thank you g-d that i no longer have to eat compulsively, but that i can turn myself over to the will of g-d, working on acceptance of that will, when my own does not agree with it.

(15)
diram krieger,
June 13, 2001 12:00 AM

truly enlightening

shwarma holds the key for peace in the middle east.be it chicken,lamb or beef.its all good.drop your stones and weapons and grab a greasy shwarma.no harma come from the shwarma.
:)

(14)
Anonymous,
May 14, 2001 12:00 AM

amazing

Thank you Tzvi,
Seven months and lifetime away from Israel, your straight to the point, real life words bring me right back to the path I would like to be on. It isn't as easy to get there as it was in Israel.
Thank you,
Vanessa

(13)
Anonymous,
May 12, 2001 12:00 AM

I always love the articles aish.com
has in the net. Thanks ,they are very wise!

(12)
,
May 9, 2001 12:00 AM

mmmm shwarma

You make me soooo hungry.... I have to wait until July 1st for some real Israeli shwarma... I feel my stomach grumbling now!

(11)
daniel f.,
May 7, 2001 12:00 AM

the greatness of judaism

thanks for the great article. what's most amazing in judaism is that we are able to elevate the physical by mixing it with the spiritual, thereby achieving a supreme feeling. israel is THE place where both feelings get together in a perfect way. that's why shwarma is an israeli food!

(10)
Caroll Dalrymple,
May 7, 2001 12:00 AM

Food for the Soul

There is more to this than just a tongue in cheek statement. If you don't believe that, take a look at the hollow-eyed nofat eaters of the world.
There's hunger there, but more for joy than for food. Discipline is good if the reasons are worthwhile.

(9)
Dwight Rentler,
May 7, 2001 12:00 AM

Best Food

We recently spent 16 days in Israel
The food was great would sure like to have the recipe. In Florida we sure appreciate you all

(8)
james archuleta,
May 7, 2001 12:00 AM

verygood!

for me it's a tortilla with refried beans fresh chopped onions and caned whole jalapenos with alot of cheez rolled up and hot from the microwave

(7)
Nelson French,
May 7, 2001 12:00 AM

Finally, . . . .meditation I can sink my teeth into!

Seriously, thanks for bringing some levitiy, ( and sensibility), into a world of "spiritual methodology" that can sometimes just get to be "too much"!

(6)
Benyahmin Gibbons,
May 6, 2001 12:00 AM

Hilarious and dripping with inspiration.

Here in Bermuda we apreciate good food! I was first intooduced to this tantalizing dish in Toronto, Canada.
My friend Sha'ul enjoyed chef Herchel's food. Even the "Tofu Shwarma"!

(5)
james forrestal,
May 6, 2001 12:00 AM

How about a recipe for Shwrama?

My mouth is drooling!

Thanks,

Forrestal

(4)
Joan Sullivan,
May 6, 2001 12:00 AM

Well at least his article is "lite"

Ah! The man is a communicator. So TZVI wheres the recipe--also send us one for peanutbutter falafel. We'll open a coffee house with entres. Good job, maannn! JoJo

(3)
Anonymous,
May 6, 2001 12:00 AM

Schwarma

I am in Ohio..very non-jewish area..A friend introduced me to "schwarma" in New York, he is from New Jersey and I have NEVER forgotten it..I loved the article and I love Schwarma even more..

(2)
david kable,
May 6, 2001 12:00 AM

Great laugh material

When I saw the title, I expectedly guessed that R.Tzvi was at work and what great work it is! It was Monday morning in Sydney,it's been raining solid for 4 days but that had no chance of preventing the eruption of a good belly laugh. The point was also spot on and not lost - must...eat...more....swarma!

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...